The Second Book of Samuel

Summary

Upon learning of Saul’s defeat by the Philistines, David
sings a song lamenting the deaths of Saul and his friend, Jonathan.
David goes to Hebron, where his followers and the southern tribe
of Judah anoint him as king. Meanwhile, Saul’s chief commander,
Abner, garners the support of the northern tribes and instates Saul’s
son, Ish-Bosheth, as king of Israel. A war ensues between the conflicting
regimes, played out in a series of small hand-to-hand contests between Abner’s
men and the army of Joab, David’s general.

When Ish-Bosheth falsely accuses Abner of sleeping with
one of the royal concubines, Abner defects to David’s court. David
welcomes Abner’s support. Abner convinces the other tribes to recognize
David’s claim to the throne. Joab, however, seeks revenge for his
brother’s earlier death at Abner’s hands, and he stabs Abner in secret.
David’s public censure of Joab and mourning for Abner wins Israel’s
respect, and two of Ish-Bosheth’s men betray their ruler by presenting
David with the severed head of the northern king. David is horrified
that they have killed an innocent man, and he publicly executes
these men. The united tribes declare David king of Israel.

David leads the Israelites in conquering the city of
Jerusalem, a Canaanite stronghold lingering in the heart of Israel’s
territory. He erects his palace there and calls it “The City of
David” or “Zion.” Growing in power, David quells the ever-present
Philistine threat in a decisive military victory. With the help
of thirty thousand Israelites, David brings the Ark of the Covenant
to Jerusalem in an elaborate procession. Amidst shouting and music,
David dances and leaps in front of the Ark, to the embarrassment
of his wife Michal. David rebukes her, claiming that he will humiliate
himself as much as he wants so long as it pleases God. God is pleased
that David has made a permanent home for the Ark and reveals a message
to David’s prophet, Nathan. God vows to grant Israel rest from foreign opposition
and promises that the kingdom of David will last forever. With Joab’s
services, David subdues the nations of the surrounding area, expanding
Israel’s borders while developing diplomatic relations with the
neighboring kingdoms.

One day, David watches a woman bathing from the rooftop
of his palace. He summons the woman, Bathsheba, and has sex with her,
and the woman becomes pregnant. Unable to disguise his indiscretion,
David sends her husband, Uriah, to die on the battlefield. David
marries Bathsheba, but Nathan confronts the king about his wrongdoing.
Nathan tells a parable about a wealthy man who steals a poor man’s
only prized sheep. David is outraged by such selfishness, and Nathan
informs David that the parable is about him. Nathan predicts that
God will bring calamity on David’s household. David repents for
his wrongdoing, but, despite his fasting and praying, Bathsheba’s
son dies during childbirth. Afterward, David and Bathsheba have
another son, Solomon.

David’s older son Amnon falls in love with his half-sister
Tamar and rapes her. David is furious but does nothing. Instead,
Tamar’s brother Absalom invites Amnon out to the country, where he
and David’s other sons murder Amnon. Absalom flees to a remote city for
three years, but David, after mourning for Amnon, allows his son
Absalom back to Jerusalem.

Absalom plots a conspiracy, forming an army and winning
the hearts of the Israelite people through displays of warmth and
kindness. Supported by David’s chief counselor, Absalom goes to Hebron
where his followers pronounce him king. Informed of this event,
David flees from Jerusalem with his men, and the people of the countryside
weep as he marches by. One of Saul’s relatives, however, curses
and throws stones at the band, gloating over David’s demise. David
forbids his attendants to punish the man.